Exotic birds spotted along Northampton Canal

Visitors to the Canal Museum at Stoke Bruerne in Northamptonshire are in for a feathery treat after a flock of bright green parakeets have been spotted visiting the garden in search of some tasty fruit treats.

Parakeet in tree

The wild birds, which like to feast on fruit from the museum’s crab apple tree, can be seen at various times throughout the day.

Originally from warmer climates the birds are thought to be the descendants of escaped pets or birds deliberately released by the rock star Jimi Hendrix in the 1960s. Now a common sight in the South East, the birds have spread to other parts of the country.

The Canal Museum has worked with local school children to create a wild garden encouraging bugs, beasties and birds to visit the area.

Bird spotters

Louise Stockwin, duty manager at the Canal Museum, said: “The birds have been coming here for a number of months and often you hear their loud squawking before you see them in the trees. Being bright green they are much easier to see this time of year but during the summer they are really well camouflaged in the trees so can be a bit tricky to see.

“The birds seem to really like the crab apples despite their sour taste and they also like to nibble on the seed we put on the bird feeder. The birds really add a splash of colour to the garden and we love seeing them come and visit.”

A good time for keen bird spotters to come and see the birds is early morning when they are coming to the garden for a breakfast treat.